Consequences of not taking care of the Pancreas may lead to many diseases which could affect the human body, such as:
- Acute Pancreatitis: It is an excruciating medical condition that causes pancreas inflammation. It may also cause pancreatic necrosis progressing towards pancreatic abscess. One of the most common causes of this is gallstones. Acute Pancreatitis may also happen due to heavy alcoholism.
- Chronic Pancreatitis: Chronic Pancreatitis is also related to the inflammation of the pancreas that destroys the tissue by replacing it with scar tissue. Due to its chronicity, it may damage the pancreas’ ability to produce digestive enzymes and hormones, which can lead to other medical issues.
- Pancreatic Cysts: These are small fluid pockets embedded in the pancreas. The majority of the pancreatic cysts are benign. The physician should run several tests to determine the best treatment course. The cysts are divided into two types: Neoplastic cysts and Pseudocysts.
- Autoimmune Pancreatitis: It is another type of chronic pancreas inflammation. In this condition, the body's cells start attacking the pancreas due to autoimmune disorders. There are two types as of now: AIP 1 and AIP 2. The treatment includes steroid therapy.
- Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours: These are rare types of malignant tumours that initiate the growth of pancreatic cells. Some symptoms of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours include muscle cramps, heartburn, fatigue, weakness, and indigestion. It usually gets treated with surgery if only confined to the pancreas.
- Pancreatic Cancer: In pancreatic cancer, the pancreas cells turn malignant and undergo uncontrolled proliferation. The symptoms include nausea, bloating, fatigue, lack of appetite, and jaundice. The treatment modalities are the same as other cancers, such as surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
The foods that tend to keep our pancreas healthy are high in protein and low in fat. When talking about sugar intake, people suffering from pancreatic conditions must consume refined sugar as they are highly prone to developing diabetes. Hence, eating foods improves pancreatic health and contributes to longevity.